Restorative approaches, the Care Act and Safeguarding

Restorative approaches, the Care Act and Safeguarding RJ Working
2018-01-03T14:23:05+00:00

Restorative approaches, the Care Act and Safeguarding

RJ Working recognises and promotes the use of Restorative Justice (RJ) approaches outside of the Criminal Justice world; in particular the synergy between RJ and the expectations of the Care Act’s 6 key principles of Safeguarding.

The Care Act 2014 puts Safeguarding Adults on a statutory footing for the first time. The very heart of the Act is to promote an individual’s right to live a life that is fulfilling, in safety, free from abuse and neglect (DH; 2014). It talks of the absolute need for organisations to cooperate when working together; to listen to the voice of the person at the centre of a Safeguarding enquiry and above all for there to be better outcomes for the person. As Lord Justice Mumby says “why make someone safe if you are only going to make them miserable” ( ref).

Often the focus on Safeguarding is about protecting a person from abuse and neglect but it also needs to be about repairing the harm that has been created. It is increasingly recognised that Restorative Justice and Restorative Practices are of value in addressing and repairing harm. The emphasis of RJ is about relationships, built on mutual respect with individuals taking responsibility for their actions. It can help organisations to keep the focus on the individual and develop effective cooperation and partnership working within and between organisations.

Service providers

Embedding restorative practices in your service will create a culture that is safe and supported, thus leading to open and honest communication. It will not only prepare individuals to repair harm that has been created, but will normalise this way of working more broadly so that better outcomes are achieved for all.

Organisations

In Cornwall we have strived for multiagency working, yet it becomes difficult. Serious Case Reviews all too frequently site failure of multi agency working as a contributing factor to harm being created. The 3 Rs of Restorative Justice, Relationships, Respect and Responsibility can help organisations work differently together. With the increasing pressure by central Government for partnership working barriers need to come down so that organisations can move forward together, by embedding restorative practices into day to day practice it becomes business as usual, with one major difference…..better outcomes for the people of Cornwall.

Take a few moments to watch the video clip below and hear how important it is to hear people’s voices, their narratives.

Training and consultancy

At RJ working we are committed to improving outcomes for all those affected by harm. We believe that RJ approaches can support best practice in service delivery within the Health and Social Care arena and we are pleased to see the interest being shown in integrating restorative principles with Safeguarding.

We can support the learning needs of a variety of organisations to address this agenda, which fits with the Living Well ethos and aims.

3 day accredited RJ facilitator training

This training will not only give you the skills to be a Restorative Justice Associated Practitioner, but also greater knowledge and understanding of RJ approaches. As a manager / supervisor or lead on RJ approaches within your organisation and or service you will gain the confidence to support your team(s0 to embed RJ approaches into their practice.

1 day introduction to RJ approaches

This one day workshop is available as additional support to embed RJ approaches in organsiations who have team members trained on the 3 day accredited programme. It is for any other staff who need a fundamental understanding of RJ approaches that can be transferred into practice.

In addition consultancy is available on how to achieve best practice, including managing the relationship between, Mental Capacity Act, Safeguarding and RJ approaches.

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